French actor Jean Dujardin picks up Best Director statute for his performance in the silent romance "The Artist", Which won in five categories, including Best Picture, at the 84th Annual Academy Awards Sunday night at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, California. [China.org.cn]

Vive la France!

It was a "French night" for the Oscars as the French-American silent romance "The Artist" won in five categories, including Best Picture, at the 84th Annual Academy Awards Sunday night at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, California. [Gallery: Stars shine at 84th Oscars ceremony]

The black-and-white silent tale of a failing French actor in Hollywood, who finds love at a time when movies were changing from silents to talkies, also picked up Best Director for Michel Hazanavicius and Best Actor for French actor Jean Dujardin.

"I love your country," Dujardin exclaimed with the Oscar in hand. He thanked the Academy, fellow filmmakers and his wife and recalled silent actor Douglas Fairbanks as an inspiration.

"I am the happiest director in the world right now. Thank you for that," the director Hazanavicius, also excited, told the audience filled with stars including George Clooney, Michelle Williams, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He also thanked the pivotal Uggie the dog who starred in the film and was thought by many to be the real star of the movie.

Without an official invitation or credential, the 10-year-old playful Jack Russell terrier has not been able to walk with other stars on the Oscar red carpet.

Uggie the Dog and the cast of the film "the Artist" pose with their trophies backstage at the 84th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, the United States, Feb. 26, 2012. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

"The Artist" also got the Oscar statutes for Costume Design and Original Score.

It was the first time for a mostly silent film to win best picture since "Wings" won at the first Oscar ceremony in 1929. And it is also the first black-and-white movie to win best picture since "Schindler's List" in 1994. Additionally, it is the first time in Academy Awards history that a French actor and a French filmmaker took the top acting and directing awards.